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SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. today announced that they are working together to develop a multi-faceted partnership that will build unique guest

WHITE PLAINS, NY - September 14, 2007 - SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
and Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. (NYSE:HOT) today announced
that they are working together to develop a multi-faceted partnership
that will build unique guest experiences through an array of branded music and
entertainment programming, special products and exclusive guest opportunities
across the Starwood Hotel portfolio including its Sheraton, W, Westin, Four
Points, Le Meridien, St. Regis and The Luxury Collection brands.

The program is currently rolling out in the U.S., with a global expansion of
the various components planned for late 2007.

As part of the initiative, SONY BMG and Starwood will work together to
implement a broad offering of music-based services to create unique
entertainment experiences for guests. The program will encompass online
interactive venues to explore and acquire music, in-room TV offerings, music
programming for public spaces, custom music entertainment products, special
events, and exclusive VIP access opportunities for one-of-a-kind artist
memorabilia, performances and the chance to meet SONY BMG artists.

“Music offers a powerful way to connect with people. And through this
program, SONY BMG can leverage its wealth of artist talent and music assets to
create engaging and memorable experiences, that can further enhance and extend
the guest relationship with Starwood hotels,” said JJ Rosen, EVP of SONY BMG’s
Commercial Music Group. “With one of the largest recorded music catalogs,
and our leadership in advanced entertainment services, we see this as a
tremendous opportunity to innovate and deliver new ways for consumers to
explore and enjoy music across a variety of products, venues and events.”

“There is no sensory element more engaging than music” commented John Peyton,
Senior Vice President, Customer Marketing and Partnerships. “It can
help define an environment, communicate the core values of our brands, speak to
peoples’ passions and create meaningful connections. Together with
SONY BMG, we plan to advance our music and entertainment offerings to deliver
differentiating experiences to consumers and deepen the relationship with our
brands.”

“This ambitious new program will provide Starwood with a powerful tool to
underscore the unique nature of each of their properties,” commented John
Ingrassia, President of SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s Commercial Music Group.
“I know I speak for everybody at the Commercial Music Group when I say
that I look forward to working closely with them as we roll out
this innovative new plan, and provide their guests with access to
some of the greatest music ever made.”

Elements of the partnership include:

Music Programming For Public Spaces:
SONY BMG and Starwood have collaborated to create a “tailored sound” designed
distinctly for each of the participating Starwood brands, creating musical
experiences that mirror the look and feel of the individual hotel brand,
and change in tone and tempo to reflect the time of day.
These specially curated playlists are currently rolling out at Starwood
hotels the U.S.

Interactive Music Venues for Web and Broadband Portals:
SONY BMG will create a series of customized online music services to allow
consumers to discover, experience and acquire music through the Web sites
of hotel brands, and their broadband portals. The services, to
include streaming audio/video programming, and customized online stores, will
feature artists and music chosen specifically for the audiences of Starwood’s
brands. The first to launch is W Video Mix video player which can be
found at www.whotels.com.

Music Programming for In-Room TV
SONY BMG will create special music-based programming for guests to view on
Starwood’s in-room TV network. The programming will include exclusive original
and on-demand programming, including interviews with current and legendary
artists, concert footage plus long form videos.

Custom Music Products
SONY BMG will also produce custom compilation CDs that will be created to
complement the experience of each Starwood hotel. In addition, SONY BMG
will make available tracks and custom digital playlists for guests to purchase
through Starwood’s branded hotel Web sites, as well as other specially-produced
digital music products.

Moments by Starwood Preferred Guest
SONY BMG will also create programs to help support Starwood’s award winning
hotel loyalty program, Starwood Preferred Guest®, and its new online auction
website Moments by Starwood Preferred Guest, where members can use their
Starpoints® to bid on exclusive, once-in-a-lifetime experiences. SONY BMG
will develop innovative and unique rewards and special VIP access to
extraordinary events including exclusive concert packages with artist meet and
greets, insider access to exclusive performances and more.

About SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT's Commercial Music Group/SONY BMG
MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT
SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT’s Commercial Music Group is dedicated to
capitalizing on the company’s strengths in catalog recordings and classical
music, and to developing new opportunities in the areas of licensing, strategic
marketing and television. The Commercial Music Group includes Legacy
Recordings, the Strategic Marketing Group, the Custom Marketing Group,
Television, and SONY BMG Masterworks.

SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is a global recorded music joint venture with a
roster of current artists that includes a broad array of both local artists and
international superstars, as well as a vast catalog that comprises some of the
most important recordings in history. SONY BMG MUSIC ENTERTAINMENT is 50% owned
by Bertelsmann A.G. and 50% owned by Sony Corporation of America.

About Starwood Hotels
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. is one of the leading hotel and
leisure companies in the world with approximately 890 properties in more than
100 countries and 145,000 employees at its owned and managed properties.
Starwood Hotels is a fully integrated owner, operator and franchisor of hotels
and resorts with the following internationally renowned brands: St.
Regis®, The Luxury Collection®, W®,
Westin®, Le Méridien®, Sheraton®, Four
Points® by Sheraton, Aloft(SM), and
Element(SM). Starwood Hotels also owns Starwood Vacation Ownership,
Inc., one of the premier developers and operators of high quality vacation
interval ownership resorts. For more information, please visit www.starwoodhotels.com